This Heritage Month, you can impress in your best cultural threads and give a lifesaving gift to so many South Africans in need.
Western Cape, South Africa (08 September 2025) – Whether you choose to honour Heritage Month by donning your best attire or attending a cultural event, we’re all for it!
And while you’re figuring out the best way to pay tribute to your roots, the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is also calling on you to embrace the special month by giving the ultimate gift: donating blood.
WCBS’ latest campaign, “Giving is in my blood: Make blood donation part of your heritage”, celebrates the life-saving impact that donating blood has on so many South Africans in need.
“As we celebrate our diverse heritage, we encourage everyone to make giving part of their identity. There is no substitute for blood — it’s a selfless act that saves lives and supports families. Our ‘Giving Is in My Blood’ campaign reminds us that we all have the power to make a difference,” says Marike Carli, Public Relations Manager at WCBS.
To honour this spirit during September and October, WCBS will thank all donors with a special water bottle, a small reminder of the vital role you play in saving lives.
Through its Extra Drop initiative, donors also have the option to forgo their token of appreciation and instead choose to have WCBS donate R15 on their behalf to a selected beneficiary.
This September and October, WCBS is proud to support the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), an organisation committed to providing life-saving bone marrow transplants for patients in need.
WCBS thanks all those who donated during the colder months, helping to keep our blood stocks at the required levels.
As we move into spring, the blood service urges donors to continue supporting this essential cause to ensure a steady supply of blood for patients throughout the Western Cape.
If you are between 16 and 75 years old, weigh 50kg or more, and are in good general health, and lead a safe sexual lifestyle, you may be eligible to donate blood.
The process takes just 30 minutes, and you may donate every 56 days. Donors are encouraged to eat a good meal within 3-4 hours before donating and increase their fluid intake before and after donation.
For more information or to find your closest blood donation clinic, visit wcbs.org.za or send a WhatsApp to 060 549 7244.
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